B6 S4 Avant to S3?........

[cfoster]

Hi all, currently got a B6 S4 avant which I absolutely adore but thinking of changing to an S3 or TT due to running costs (particularly fuel) and the amount of miles I do now.

Has anyone owned both / either / or and if so will I be dissappointed if I downsize. I love the noise of my V8 (have a non-res Milltek fitted) and worried that I may want to go back? Performance wise how do they compare? I have booked a test drive of an S3 and a 2.0tfsi TT on Weds down at Audis.

Anyone offer any guidance?

Cheers
Chris

 

[The Cardinal]

You'll reduce your fuel and servicing costs for sure - although you'll amost certainly pay more in depreciation / monthly repayments.

I doubt that a 2.0T will give the same satisfaction and aural pleasure as a V8. The S3 / TT will be more "sensible" in many ways though.

 

[cfoster]

im hoping fuel will be better, what are the stats for the S3? Never really considered one until I see it on the forecourt! Depreciation is a worry but monthly are fine as I wont have any! Just fuel :S!!

With a milltek etc do you nice a noise from them? I doubt it will be no V8 noise but hopefully it will be something not far off!

 

[jungleman]

if you pm jamess4cab (think thats his name on here) think hes had both, went from the S4 to the S3 he will let you know what they are like back to back
out of an S3 you prob can get about 270-300 miles per tank depending how you drive and what your driving on
if you get a full TBE non res milltek, then the noise will be good, but not like the V8 for obvious reasons.
also with the S3 you will want to map it, as then it will really transform the car in to what it should be (also improves the mpg if driving sensibly) but you will have to upgrade the clutch as the stock unit cant handle the extra power.
hope that helps

 

[S3RYE]

i get 24mpg on average.. is that much better than an S4?

 

[cfoster]

I get about 18 average!!!!!!! About £77 to fill it up at the mo and i'm lucky to get 230 miles ish on a good run, sometimes only 190 / 200! Not the worst car i've had for fuel (had an F150 lightning truck last year!) but would like something a bit better.

Jungleman - cheers for the info

 

[jungleman]

18 average!!! ouch!! ok thats put me off a V8 haha
no worries always glad to help

 

[cfoster]

haha yeah its a bit of kick in the balls, even the local petrol attendant I go see when I fill up asks where the hell i go to be filling up so often!!!! My yankee truck used to do 8mpg so this was a walk in the park for a while!! (Till the fuel prices soared!!!!)

 

[S3RYE]

I get about 18 average!!!!!!! About £77 to fill it up at the mo and i'm lucky to get 230 miles ish on a good run, sometimes only 190 / 200! Not the worst car i've had for fuel (had an F150 lightning truck last year!) but would like something a bit better.

Jungleman - cheers for the info

 

[JamesS4cab]

Mate - drop me a pm with your number and we can have a chat. As jungleman says, I went from an S4 cab with MT non res to S3 and initially hated it. Times have changed. With 380bhp, its a different beast!

 

[cfoster]

ok mate will do cheers . I'll see how the test drive goes tomorrow! Drove the S4 last night and still in two minds what to do!!!!

 

[heyes_s]

I am finding the transition from a remaped (250bhp) 2.0TFSI A4 Quattro to the S3 a little difficult. Its a matter of taste but i find the S3 relatively harsh and uncomfortable plus the turbo lag is quite pronounced compared to the A4. The A4 is nearly as quick but without being as sporty if you get my meaning. Dont get me wrong, the S3 is in another league when it comes to point to point speed and handling even in standard form, but i am wondering if you will miss the relative refinement and low down torque of the S4.

 

[jungleman]

S3 relatively harsh and uncomfortable

the turbo lag is quite pronounced compared to the A4

but i am wondering if you will miss the relative refinement and low down torque of the S4.

at the end of the day, the S3 is always going to be a firmer car due to its more sporty set up compared to an A4, but the chances are the S4 will have the same suspension characteristics as the S3 due to its 'S' branding

thats purely down to the fact your A4 is mapped i would guess, in my S3 there is very little lag and starts to pull quite nicely form 1800rpm

a turbo will never match the low end grunt or top end legs of the V8, but in the real world where mid range performance is king a mapped S3 will eat an S4. with refinement, a good map will really sort the S3's engine, since ive had mine done, it runs smoother, the powerband has shifted both up and down the rev range and now i have a very smooth torque curve, the power is very very linear!!